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Felix dominates with nine K's vs. Padres

3/22/13: Christopher Taylor drills a single to center field off Brad Boxberger, knocking in a pair of runs to give the Mariners a 3-1 lead

By Corey Brock
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MLB.com |

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Seattle pitcher Felix Hernandez looked in midseason form Friday, striking out six consecutive hitters in a 3-1 victory over the Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Hernandez, who will start Opening Day for Seattle, allowed two hits over six shutout innings with nine strikeouts and no walks. He threw 70 pitches, 50 that went for strikes.

"I thought he looked great," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "He was efficient, he was strong, he used all his pitches and had great command. He looked fantastic tonight."

San Diego pitcher Tyson Ross, trying to win a job in the starting rotation, allowed one run on four hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out six, throwing 94 pitches.

"His stuff was great, velocity was there, good slider and he even mixed in a couple of changeups," Padres manager Bud Black said. "But overall, he was a little spotty on the ball-strike ratio. But we saw some strides."

Minor Leaguer Christopher Taylor had a two-run single in the eighth inning to give the Mariners the lead.

Seattle's Kelly Shoppach hit a home run, his first of the spring, in the fifth inning for a 1-0 lead.

The Padres got both of their hits off Hernandez with two outs in the second inning, as Nick Hundley had a single and moved to third base on a double by Cameron Maybin. But Hernandez got Alexi Amarista to ground out to end the inning.

After striking out twice against Hernandez, Yonder Alonso hit a home run in the seventh inning, his fourth of the spring. The home run came off Seattle reliever Danny Farquhar.

Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager, who entered the game hitting .238, had two hits, including a double in the seventh inning. Dustin Ackley added two hits as well.

Up next: The focus will be on the back end of the rotation Saturday when Blake Beavan makes his next attempt to earn a spot among the starting five with his outing against the Indians in a 12:05 p.m. PT game at Peoria Stadium. First baseman Justin Smoak, who has been one of the hottest hitters in the Cactus League, figures to return to the lineup after getting Friday off.

Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. Keep track of @FollowThePadres on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.